Newb Question

[asdunn]

Hello All,

     I'm totally new to fly fishing and just got my first outfit, but leanred to cast, etc.  Wondering if anyone had any interest in going fishing with a newbie?  I know the basics but would be eager to hit some streams with someone who knew what they were doing so that I could learn more.  I understand the east branch of the Croton is open, and was thinking of heading up this weekend if anyone wants to join?

[Nick]

i went a couple days ago, its high if i bealive and not fishing too well. your best bet is to gear up for the spring and hit the stocked streams then, use this time now to gather information for the new season! and my signature has a site about fly fishing around here, pics and some useful information. But you'll find some great informative fly fisherman here.

[asdunn]

Hmm.  OK!  Are there any places worth checking out in the winter?  Or anyone wanting to check out a spot or two?

Thanks!

[bluefish]

A great place to start is The Bedford Sportsman   -   a flyshop in Bedford.  Not sure of the phone number, but they do have a website.

Every Spring it seems they do a "drive around" class    -   where they take attendees to the local streams, show them the ropes, etc.     And they always have lectures, in general.

The owner, Charlie, is a nice guy.

I would go there, chew the fat, and see when that lecture is.   (It seems they have it every early Spring.....March, April).

Fly fishing right now would tough.   I am sure the fish are just hugging the bottom at the East Branch, and trying it now might just discourage you.    Better to give it a shot in April or May, when some serious hatches start.

Good luck.

[bluefish]

As a follow up, I should mention that the Bedford Sportsman sells this little, 50 page book about fly fishing the Croton Watershed.  (They've done this for 20 years, unless they've stopped recently).

It is as much a "bible" for the Westchester flyfisher as Jack Stewart's book is to the beginner reservoir fisherman.  Probably more so.    It has hatch charts, where to fish on each stream, etc.

[Nick]

yeah i have that book its great! my dad got it for free at a boy scout event.

[johnjav]

hey asdunn,

I agree with bluefish and nick.  Picking up fly fishing is tough but even tougher in the winter.  I would focus on gearing up for spring and reading and learning as much as i could about fly fishing. It is a great sport to take up.  If i could recommend two fly fishing books to you, it would be the orvis fly fishing guide as well as the guide to fishing small streams.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=65C0
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=5A20

I would also listen to orvis's fly fishing podcasts.
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It sounds like you are pumped to go check things out.  I would recommend just going and trying it out.  I would dead drift tiny nymphs size 18 or smaller with some BB weights to help get that fly down.  Also fishing streamers or dead drifting streamers could be productive.  Usually during the winter the trout are slow and not so fast to take a fly.  Fishing egg patterns might be the ticket as well.  Winter fly fishing is tough but it can still be productive. 

Good luck out there.

-john

[Nick]

Also if im correct the hurricane in the spring wiped out a lot of the stockies?

[BigWilly]

My first season was last year fly fishing.  It is allot of fun.  You should wait till the streams are stocked.  It's hard enough to keep your fly in the stream and not in the trees.lol   You should wait for some more fish to be added to the system.

[AVK]

hey asdunn,

I agree with bluefish and nick.  Picking up fly fishing is tough but even tougher in the winter.  I would focus on gearing up for spring and reading and learning as much as i could about fly fishing. It is a great sport to take up.  If i could recommend two fly fishing books to you, it would be the orvis fly fishing guide as well as the guide to fishing small streams.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=65C0
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=5A20

I would also listen to orvis's fly fishing podcasts.
-----
It sounds like you are pumped to go check things out.  I would recommend just going and trying it out.  I would dead drift tiny nymphs size 18 or smaller with some BB weights to help get that fly down.  Also fishing streamers or dead drifting streamers could be productive.  Usually during the winter the trout are slow and not so fast to take a fly.  Fishing egg patterns might be the ticket as well.  Winter fly fishing is tough but it can still be productive. 

Good luck out there.

-john

x2 plus use the time to improve your casting so that you don`t think about it and concentrate on fishing when conditions are right.

[asdunn]

hey asdunn,

I agree with bluefish and nick.  Picking up fly fishing is tough but even tougher in the winter.  I would focus on gearing up for spring and reading and learning as much as i could about fly fishing. It is a great sport to take up.  If i could recommend two fly fishing books to you, it would be the orvis fly fishing guide as well as the guide to fishing small streams.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=65C0
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=5A20

I would also listen to orvis's fly fishing podcasts.
-----
It sounds like you are pumped to go check things out.  I would recommend just going and trying it out.  I would dead drift tiny nymphs size 18 or smaller with some BB weights to help get that fly down.  Also fishing streamers or dead drifting streamers could be productive.  Usually during the winter the trout are slow and not so fast to take a fly.  Fishing egg patterns might be the ticket as well.  Winter fly fishing is tough but it can still be productive. 

Good luck out there.

-john

Thanks John!

Sorry, what are BB weights?  And where shou8ld they go relative to the fly/leader?

Thanks!

[johnjav]

They are tiny split shots that you clamp on the fly leader to help increase the weight to allow you to fish deeper.  You can clamp it about 12 inches above your fly.

-john

[ithacafishing]

Your not far behind me asdunn.  I started fly fishing in October.  Before I could get my cast down and what not it was winter.  But I have picked off a couple fish here and there on East Branch.  Ive heard a lot of people tell me the winter is the hardest time to fly fish, but the way I look at it is... less people on the streams, more room to practice, and if you can catch fish in the winter you'll be ready for the spring. 

I am no fly fishing expert, but with no ice I am definitely enjoying learning Fly fishing.

[johnjav]

You might also want to practice your knots using some cheap 2 pound test mono line on your flies to save your expensive leaders.

http://www.orvis.com/intro.aspx?subject=699

[AVK]

They are tiny split shots that you clamp on the fly leader to help increase the weight to allow you to fish deeper.  You can clamp it about 12 inches above your fly.

-john

You can also use sink putty to add weight. See this product:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=83GG
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=4L5C